So There Was This Trip...

Early this month, I got the opportunity to go on a once in a lifetime trip.  My wonderful friend, Jo, earned the trip for twenty years of service at her job.  She got the choice, a big trip for herself or a medium trip for herself and someone else.  As an incredible friend, she selected me to go with her.
We went to St. Lucia for seven full days.
At home, Bee took care of all three kids while juggling work!!!
My two heroes, Jo and Bee.
A couple things to note:

• This was the longest period of time I've ever been away from both the kids and Bee.  I think I did really well with this.
• This is the most food, the freshest food, I've ever eaten in a week.
• This was the farthest I've ever traveled from home.  No, I'm not a worldly traveler.
• On this trip, I remembered how to stop and look at my surroundings.  I remembered to search for what is not easily seen and appreciate the details.
• I tasted my food and remembered how to slow down and enjoy it.
• I remembered how to be still and do nothing.  Really nothing.  
• I now understand what layers of flavor and a "finish" mean.
• I was reminded of how much I love being a wife and mom.
• This trip was like hitting the reset button on my life.  My soul was nourished. 

And by the numbers:

38:  Courses eaten.

5:  Desserts eaten.

6:  Animals seen in our room (!)

6:  Spa treatments received.

1:  Boat rides.

7:  Days chocolate eaten.

13:  Approximate bug bites.

3:  Times I thought we'd die in a taxi.

3:  Snorkeling opportunities.

1:  Sea snakes seen on the snorkeling trips.

55:  Approximate sea urchins seen on the trips.

28:  Horses, goats, cows seen on the side of the roads.

19: Approximate number of alcoholic drinks consumed.

8:  Cocao bellinis included in that number.

1:  Dips in volcanic mud baths.

2:  Walks to see Cocao trees.

1:  Bars of chocolate made from the bean.

18:  Approximate cups of coffee consumed.

9:  Facetime opportunities with everyone at home.

14:  Villas at the resort.

5:  Our villa number.

0:  Televisions on the resort.

0:  Air conditioning units on the resort.

6:  Windows open in our room daily and nightly.

1:  Former U.K. Prime Ministers staying at our resort at the same time as us.

2:  Bodyguards accompanying Prime Minister.

6:  Total Americans at the resort, including us.

82:  Average temperature.

0.5:  Days when it felt like it was too hot.

2:  Visits to the beach.

1:  Days by which we missed seeing Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin at Sugar Beach.

3:  Times I cried out of pure joy.

And, while I could post about two hundred pictures of this amazing experience, I've selected a handful (or two), in no particular order.  A hard decision, for sure.

Room view one.

Room view two

Rainforest shower

In the hammock on Sugar Beach.  Nice.

Petit Piton view at the pool. 

Infinity pool. 

Me.  Loving it.

Even rain was beautiful.

We saw a rainbow almost every day.

The former Prime Minister, Sir John Major and his wife, Dame Norma Major

Cocao Bellini much?  Oh, and notice my manicure!

Making my own chocolate bar.

Every morning- a stellar view, french pressed coffee, and a huge plate of fresh fruit.  Oh, and THEN breakfast.

The chocolate bar makings.

Inside the spa.  Every day.  Word.

Sugar Beach and Gros Piton.

I couldn't be more grateful to both Jo, and most of all Bee.  Without either of them this never would have happened.  I will be eternally grateful for this once in a lifetime experience.